I’ve loved books all my life. Over the years I’ve enjoyed everything from H G Wells and Arthur C Clarke to John Grisham and J R R Tolkein. But the book that changed my life forever, and continues to change my life, is of course the Bible. I am totally in awe of the power, majesty and beauty of God’s Word and it amazes me that after studying it for 26 years I still feel as if I’m only scratching the surface of its treasure trove of wisdom and insight. One of the greatest thrills for me as a Christian is to engage in conversation with God through meditating on His Word. There’s something precious about physically opening your Bible and talking with and listening to Jesus through the Scriptures.

I still enjoy reading other books and God has definitely challenged me and changed me through various things I’ve read over the years. When first a Christian, I learned so much from timeless classics such as “Rees Howells: Intercessor” by Norman Grubb; Evidence that demands a Verdict” by Josh McDowell; “God’s Smuggler” by Brother Andrew; “Chasing the Dragon” by Jackie Pullinger; and a host of other study and testimony books.

I’m one of those obsessive sort of guys – when I get hold of a book that blesses me big time – I love to see others read it and get the same blessing. I was once so blessed by a book that I bought 20 copies of it to give away to friends and colleagues! Anyway, for the record, I thought I’d compile a list of my “top ten” reads of the last few years. I’m no academic and all the books are pretty “light” and certainly easy to read – but I can honestly say that each of these books has challenged and blessed me in a serious way. You would not be disappointed in any or all of them!

What’s So Amazing About Grace?

Philip Yancey

I’ve read many books on grace over years, and they all approach the subject from a “teaching and understanding” perspective. The problem is that grace, I believe, can only really be grasped by revelation and experience. That’s what makes this book so fantastic. Yancey adopts Jesus’ parable style approach – telling lots of stories and allowing the penny to drop in your own time and in your own experience. Brilliant.

Soul Survivor

Philip Yancey

Another entry from Yancey and nothing to do with Matt Redman and the Watford crew, wonderful though they are!  I can hardly put into words the impact this book had on my life. Yancey simply profiles a number of people whose lives or writing had great impact on his own life. His list is an eclectic mix including Martin Luther King Jnr, G K Chesterton, Dr Paul Brand, Mahatma Ghandi, Annie Dillard and Henri Nouwen. It’s bristling with insight and revelation and it seriously challenged several of my attitudes and mindsets.

Faith Works

Jim Wallis

Nothing to do with Steve Chalke and the Faithworks crew, wonderful though they are!! This is a big American chap, author of “God’s Politics” and the classic “A Call to Conversion”. This is a stunning book, a real clarion cry for a Gospel-based social conscience. I found it a real eye-opener and was deeply moved and challenged. A book like this ought to be mandatory reading for every believer.

Velvet Elvis

Rob Bell

Fresh Wind Fresh Fire

Jim Cymbala

Never heard of him? Not surprised. But you have probably heard of the Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir – well he’s the pastor of that church. I read this book on a crowded train from Doncaster to London – and embarrassed myself by snivelling and sobbing all the way through. But I was so impacted that I went to New York to visit the church for myself. The hallmarks of the church and indeed of Jim Cymbala’s ministry are prayer, humility and deeply touching conversions. This book is full of hope, and if you like it, there are other titles worth looking at such as “Fresh Faith” and “The Life God Blesses”.

Deadline

Randy Alcorn

This is fiction. Not the greatest of page-turners – but packed full of interesting arguments. Randy Alcorn has a habit of rehearsing critical issues and debates through the mouths of his characters. What I loved about this book were the “parallel” scenes of what was happening in heaven while the characters were going through stuff on earth. He can tend towards “the right” at times, but he nonetheless has tremendous insights into the heart of key issues. If you like this, try his others like “Dominion” in which he delves into gang and ghetto culture in the States and “Safely Home” which is a tremendous novel on the persecuted church in China.

Just As I Am

Billy Graham

Arguably the greatest evangelist of the modern era. His autobiography is long but never dull. The travelogue is interesting, but more than anything else, it’s the integrity and faith of Billy Graham that shines through. Essential reading.

The Heavenly Man

Brother Yun (with Paul Hathaway)

As my wife Marianne says, this is the kind of book you don’t like reading, but you know you have to. When it comes to testimonies, you will not find a more gut-wrenching yet inspiring story than this. I sometimes think that one good story of a person’s journey through life with Jesus does more to shape and inspire us than a hundred studies and teaching books. Judge for yourself.

Revolution

George Barna

The “emerging church” phenomenon and the need to completely re-define church structure, culture, mindset and influence will be the great challenges of the foreseeable future. Barna’s book is by no means the best on the subject, but it is a good introduction to the changing nature of the individual Christian’s faith in today’s society. You’ll either love this book or hate it – but it ought not to be ignored by anyone.

That None Should Perish

Ed Silvoso

This is the book that really started me on my journey of thinking about unity and its true purpose. It was also the initial inspiration behind the Pray Haringey movement. A powerful book with the potential to not just change you but your city as well.

P.S. I couldn’t help mentioning two or three secular books that have also been a great “blessing” to me personally. First of all, there is Nelson Mandella’s autobiography “Long Walk to Freedom” – awe inspiring! And then there’s “The Tipping Point” by Malcolm Gladwell – a fascinating look at what makes a trend, why do some things catch on and other don’t. I found it contained some very helpful insights in the area of spreading the Gospel and establishing ministries. He’s also written a book called “Blink: the power of thinking without thinking” which looks at the working of the human mind and how it relates to behaviour. It shed much light on some Scriptural truths such as Psalm 119:9,11.